Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the creation of the Anti-Weaponization Fund to compensate individuals who feel they have been wronged by the federal government under previous administrations. The lack of eligibility criteria, legal oversight, and enforcement transparency raises concerns that this fund could be misused to compensate individuals who have broken the law, including those who were prosecuted and convicted for their participation in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
 
In response, legal attempts have been made to block the Anti-Weaponization Fund. As of today, two states are already proposing to charge substantial state income taxes on payments that individuals receive from this fund. At the federal level, legislation has been proposed to protect taxpayer dollars by blocking federal funding from being used for this fund. This is a good start, but we also need a state-level solution here in our Commonwealth to ensure accountability. Therefore, my legislation would designate any payments made to state residents from the Anti-Weaponization Fund as taxable income in Pennsylvania.
 
Many households are struggling with making ends meet between increased grocery, gas, housing, utility, and other bills. Taxpayer money should be used to benefit taxpayers; not for select individuals who are seeking political payouts from the Anti-Weaponization Fund.
 
Please join me in supporting this legislation.